A Japanese activist holds a portrait denouncing New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune of the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society during his trial in front of the Tokyo District Court in Tokyo on July 7, 2010. Meanwhile the activist was handed a suspended two-year prison term in Japan for offences relating to clashes with Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters. less

A Japanese activist holds a portrait denouncing New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune of the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society during his trial in front of the Tokyo District Court in Tokyo ... more

Photo: TORU YAMANAKA, Getty Images

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Japanese activists gather and protest upon the arrival of Japan's whaling vessel Shonan Maru 2 detaining a New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was the captain of the high-tech powerboat Ady Gil at Tokyo Bay on March 12, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. Bethune climbed aboard a Japanese ship in the Antarctic Ocean on February 15 and has been been detained on the Shonan Maru 2. Bethune is arrested upon the ships's arrival in Tokyo. less

Japanese activists gather and protest upon the arrival of Japan's whaling vessel Shonan Maru 2 detaining a New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and ... more

Photo: Koichi Kamoshida, Getty Images

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Paul Watson (L), Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and protesters demonstrate on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican President was expected for a visit. Watson is on bail while German authorities decide whether he can be extradited to Costa Rica on charges stemming from a high-seas confrontation over shark finning in 2002. Watson is accused of "putting a ship's crew in danger". The Canadian national is well known for his pursuit and harassment of Japanese whaling boats off Antarctica which in recent years has significantly reduced the number of animals slaughtered. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages) less

Paul Watson (L), Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and protesters demonstrate on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican President was expected for a visit. Watson ... more

Photo: ODD ANDERSEN, Getty Images

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Militant environmentalist group Sea Shepherd ship 'Bob Barker' is moored in Hobart as it prepares to leave to confront the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean on Dec.13, 2011. Sea Shepherd are sending a flotilla of three vessels crewed by 88 people from 25 different nationalities in an attempt to prevent the whale hunt. less

Militant environmentalist group Sea Shepherd ship 'Bob Barker' is moored in Hobart as it prepares to leave to confront the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean on Dec.13, 2011. Sea Shepherd are sending ... more

The ship 'Steve Irwin' from the fleet of environmental activist group Sea Shepherd sits at anchor in Gage Roads off Fremantle near Perth on December 7, 2011. Australia said on December 7 it had rejected a call from Japan to provide more security for its whaling fleet in Antarctic waters, the site of violent clashes with animal rights activists in previous years. The Japanese fleet left port Tuesday on the country's annual hunt and activists with the militant Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who plan to harass the whalers, said they were preparing to join them within days. less

The ship 'Steve Irwin' from the fleet of environmental activist group Sea Shepherd sits at anchor in Gage Roads off Fremantle near Perth on December 7, 2011. Australia said on December 7 it had rejected a call ... more

Photo: GREG WOOD, Getty Images

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The ship 'Steve Irwin' (L) from the fleet of environmental activist group Sea Shepherd, sits at anchor in Gage Roads off Fremantle near Perth on December 7, 2011.

The ship 'Steve Irwin' (L) from the fleet of environmental activist group Sea Shepherd, sits at anchor in Gage Roads off Fremantle near Perth on December 7, 2011.

Alex Cornelissen, captain of the militant environmentalist group Sea Shepherd ship 'Bob Barker', sits on the bridge while moored in Hobart as they prepare to leave to confront the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean on December 13, 2011. Sea Shepherd are sending a flotilla of three vessels crewed by 88 people from 25 different nationalities in an attempt to prevent the whale hunt. less

Alex Cornelissen, captain of the militant environmentalist group Sea Shepherd ship 'Bob Barker', sits on the bridge while moored in Hobart as they prepare to leave to confront the Japanese whaling fleet in the ... more

Paul Watson attends Paul Watson Shares His Stories For Sea Shepherd Conservation Society From The Series "Whale Wars" at Green and Vine at the Residences at the W Hollywood on April 14, 2011 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/WireImage) less

Paul Watson attends Paul Watson Shares His Stories For Sea Shepherd Conservation Society From The Series "Whale Wars" at Green and Vine at the Residences at the W Hollywood on April 14, 2011 in Los Angeles. ... more

Released Dutch Sea Shepherd activist Erwin Vermeulen speaks to the press as he is greeted at the airport in Schiphol on February 25, 2012 on his way back from Japan where his was held for two months on assault charges following a clash with dolphin hunters. Erwin Vermeulen was put on remand in Taiji for allegedly punching a man in December as he was stopped from entering an off-limits area near a secluded bay where the hunts take place. less

Released Dutch Sea Shepherd activist Erwin Vermeulen speaks to the press as he is greeted at the airport in Schiphol on February 25, 2012 on his way back from Japan where his was held for two months on assault ... more

Alex Cornelissen (R), captain of the militant environmentalist group Sea Shepherd ship 'Bob Barker', talks to boat driver Philip Peterson (L) while moored in Hobart as they prepare to leave to confront the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean on Dec. 13, 2011. Sea Shepherd are sending a flotilla of three vessels crewed by 88 people from 25 different nationalities in an attempt to prevent the whale hunt. less

Alex Cornelissen (R), captain of the militant environmentalist group Sea Shepherd ship 'Bob Barker', talks to boat driver Philip Peterson (L) while moored in Hobart as they prepare to leave to confront the ... more

Paul Watson (R), Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, can be seen through a flag during a demonstration on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican President was expected for a visit. Watson is on bail while German authorities decide whether he can be extradited to Costa Rica on charges stemming from a high-seas confrontation over shark finning in 2002. Watson is accused of "putting a ship's crew in danger". The Canadian national is well known for his pursuit and harassment of Japanese whaling boats off Antarctica which in recent years has significantly reduced the number of animals slaughtered. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages) less

Paul Watson (R), Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, can be seen through a flag during a demonstration on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican President was ... more

Photo: ODD ANDERSEN, Getty Images

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Protesters hold up posters during a demonstration claiming to free Paul Watson, Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican President was expected for a visit. Watson is on bail while German authorities decide whether he can be extradited to Costa Rica on charges stemming from a high-seas confrontation over shark finning in 2002. Watson is accused of "putting a ship's crew in danger". The Canadian national is well known for his pursuit and harassment of Japanese whaling boats off Antarctica which in recent years has significantly reduced the number of animals slaughtered. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages) less

Protesters hold up posters during a demonstration claiming to free Paul Watson, Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican ... more

Photo: ODD ANDERSEN, Getty Images

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A protester from conservation group Sea Shepherd wears the group's T-shirt during a protest to free leader Paul Watson, downstairs from the German consulate in Hong Kong on May 23, 2012. Watson is on bail while German authorities decide whether he can be extradited to Costa Rica on charges stemming from a high-seas confrontation over shark finning in 2002. Watson is accused of "putting a ship's crew in danger". The Canadian national is well known for his pursuit and harassment of Japanese whaling boats off Antarctica which in recent years has significantly reduced the number of animals slaughtered. (Photo by ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/GettyImages) less

A protester from conservation group Sea Shepherd wears the group's T-shirt during a protest to free leader Paul Watson, downstairs from the German consulate in Hong Kong on May 23, 2012. Watson is on bail while ... more

Activists hang a placard picturing founder of marine conservation group Sea Shepherd, Paul Watson in front of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Berlin, Germany, on May 18, 2012. A German court ruled Watson could be freed on bail while authorities decide whether he can be extradited to Costa Rica.He stands accused of "putting a ship's crew in danger." (Photo by KAY NIETFELD/AFP/GettyImages) less

Activists hang a placard picturing founder of marine conservation group Sea Shepherd, Paul Watson in front of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Berlin, Germany, on May 18, 2012. A German court ruled Watson ... more

Paul Watson (C), Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and protesters demonstrate on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican President was expected for a visit. Watson is on bail while German authorities decide whether he can be extradited to Costa Rica on charges stemming from a high-seas confrontation over shark finning in 2002. Watson is accused of "putting a ship's crew in danger". The Canadian national is well known for his pursuit and harassment of Japanese whaling boats off Antarctica which in recent years has significantly reduced the number of animals slaughtered. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyImages) less

Paul Watson (C), Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and protesters demonstrate on May 23, 2012 in Berlin, where the Costa Rican President was expected for a visit. Watson ... more

Photo: Getty Images

Paul Watson (C), Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd... Photo-4252821.57470 - seattlepi.com

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Japan's whaling vessel Shonan Maru 2, detaining a New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was the captain of the high-tech powerboat Ady Gil appear, at Tokyo bay on March 12, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. Bethune climbed aboard a Japanese ship in the Antarctic Ocean on February 15 and has been been detained on the Shonan Maru 2. Bethune is arrested upon the ship's arrival in Tokyo. less

Japan's whaling vessel Shonan Maru 2, detaining a New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was the captain of the high-tech powerboat Ady Gil ... more

Japan's whaling ship Nishin-maru unloads relief supplies to a small boat off the coast of Ishinomaki city in Miyagi Prefecture on March 28, 2011. The Nisshin-maru returned from the Antarctica Ocean this month after the ship was harassment by the environmental group Sea Shepherd, and now joins the relief mission to transport relief supplies for the disaster area in northern Japan. AFP PHOTO /YOMIURI SHIMBUN JAPAN OUT, RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / YOMIURI SHIMBUN" less

Japan's whaling ship Nishin-maru unloads relief supplies to a small boat off the coast of Ishinomaki city in Miyagi Prefecture on March 28, 2011. The Nisshin-maru returned from the Antarctica Ocean this month ... more

Japan Coast Guard stand on guard the Japan's whaling vessel Shonan Maru 2, detaining a New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was the captain of the high-tech powerboat Ady Gil appear, at Tokyo bay on March 12, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. Bethune climbed aboard a Japanese ship in the Antarctic Ocean on February 15 and has been been detained on the Shonan Maru 2. Bethune is arrested upon the ship's arrival in Tokyo. less

Japan Coast Guard stand on guard the Japan's whaling vessel Shonan Maru 2, detaining a New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, a member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was the captain of ... more

Members of Sea Shepherd organization try to go near the humpback whale called Johannes who aborted in Den Helder, on December 15, 2012. A last-ditch effort to save the humpback whale stuck on a sandbank in the Wadden Sea failed to free the 12-metre long mammal. less

Members of Sea Shepherd organization try to go near the humpback whale called Johannes who aborted in Den Helder, on December 15, 2012. A last-ditch effort to save the humpback whale stuck on a sandbank in the ... more

Photo: AFP, Getty Images

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Japanese research whaling ship the Nisshin Maru arrives in the Tokyo port on April 12, 2010, her hull stained by red marks left protests by environmental group Sea Shephered in Antarctic waters. The Japan coast guard plans to examine the vessels and interview crew members about confrontations with the militant Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS less

Japanese research whaling ship the Nisshin Maru arrives in the Tokyo port on April 12, 2010, her hull stained by red marks left protests by environmental group Sea Shephered in Antarctic waters. The Japan coast ... more

Photo: JIJI PRESS, Getty Images

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A pro-whaling activist holds a can of whale meat and a poster descriding the man pictured as an "eco-terrorist" during a demonstration at the Tokyo port, hours before the arrival of Japanese harpoon ship "Shonan Maru II" carrying a New Zealand anti-whaling activist, Peter Bethune, on March 12, 2010. Bethune, a member of the militant Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, was engaged in months of high-seas clashes with the Japanese whaling fleet but has been in custody since mid-February when he boarded the Shonan Maru II. AFP PHOTO / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA less

A pro-whaling activist holds a can of whale meat and a poster descriding the man pictured as an "eco-terrorist" during a demonstration at the Tokyo port, hours before the arrival of Japanese harpoon ship ... more

Photo: TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA, Getty Images

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A Japanese activist holds a banner which reads 'Terrorist Sea Shepherd, Death Penalty!' as he shouts slogans denouncing New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune of the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society during his trial in front of the Tokyo District Court in Tokyo on July 7, 2010. Meanwhile the activist was handed a suspended two-year prison term in Japan for offences relating to clashes with Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters. less

A Japanese activist holds a banner which reads 'Terrorist Sea Shepherd, Death Penalty!' as he shouts slogans denouncing New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune of the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation ... more

Photo: TORU YAMANAKA, Getty Images

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Japanese activists hold banners denouncing New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune of the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society during his trial in front of the Tokyo District Court in Tokyo on July 7, 2010. Meanwhile the activist was handed a suspended two-year prison term in Japan for offences relating to clashes with Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters. less

Japanese activists hold banners denouncing New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune of the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society during his trial in front of the Tokyo District Court in Tokyo on ... more

Paul Watson, Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a direct action group devoted to marine conservation poses, on May 25, 2011 in La Ciotat, south eastern France, after inaugurating the group's new multihull named after French screen legend and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot. less

Paul Watson, Canadian founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a direct action group devoted to marine conservation poses, on May 25, 2011 in La Ciotat, south eastern France, after ... more

Photo: GERARD JULIEN, Getty Images

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General view of the atmosphere at the Sea Shepherd lunch sponsored by producers Mohammed Al Turki and Hamza Talhouni honoring Michelle Rodriguez and Paul Watson held at a private residence on May 19, 2011 in Antibes, France. less

General view of the atmosphere at the Sea Shepherd lunch sponsored by producers Mohammed Al Turki and Hamza Talhouni honoring Michelle Rodriguez and Paul Watson held at a private residence on May 19, 2011 in ... more

Photo: Ian Gavan, Getty Images

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